What is the most correct order of theorized evolution of life on earth
The most commonly accepted order of theorized evolution of life on Earth is as follows:
1. Chemical evolution - The formation of complex organic molecules from simpler inorganic substances, leading to the origins of life. This includes the formation of amino acids, nucleotides, and other building blocks of life.
2. Prokaryotic evolution - The emergence of prokaryotic cells, which are simple, single-celled organisms without a nucleus. This includes the first bacteria and archaea, which were the dominant life forms on Earth for billions of years.
3. Oxygen revolution - The production of oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis by certain prokaryotes. This led to the Great Oxygenation Event, around 2.4 billion years ago, which significantly changed the composition of Earth's atmosphere.
4. Eukaryotic evolution - The development of more complex, eukaryotic cells, which have a nucleus and other specialized organelles. This marked a major milestone in the evolution of life and gave rise to various complex organisms.
5. Protist evolution - The emergence and diversification of protists, which are eukaryotic microorganisms. Protists played a crucial role in the evolution of multicellular organisms and served as the ancestral group for all other eukaryotes.
6. Plant and fungi evolution - The evolution of plants and fungi from ancestral protists. Plants adapted to terrestrial life and developed specialized structures to make their own food through photosynthesis. Fungi, on the other hand, obtained nutrients through absorption.
7. Invertebrate evolution - The evolution of diverse invertebrate animals, including sponges, jellyfish, worms, mollusks, arthropods, and others. Invertebrates were the dominant form of animal life for the majority of Earth's history.
8. Vertebrate evolution - The emergence of vertebrates, which are animals with a backbone or spinal column. This group includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Vertebrates eventually became the most diverse and complex group of animals on Earth.
It's important to note that the exact sequence and timing of these events is still a subject of ongoing research, and new discoveries can modify our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth.